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Real Estate

Woodland Garden at Al Barari.

Desert oasis blossoms

01 August 2015

Ashjar 2 by Al Barari will house 84 exclusive residences amidst a lifestyle closer to nature

Award-winning luxury developer Al Barari is pressing ahead with Phase Two work on its “desert oasis” in Dubai, which claims the distinction of being the lowest density development in the UAE.

The company has recently launched the latest component of the second phase of its Al Barari Project – Ashjar 2 – which is an extension of Ashjar that was launched last year.

Ashjar 2 is a collection of 84 exclusive residences, offering the best of community and family living combined with world-class facilities. Designed to introduce sustainable luxury living to a wider audience, it will feature one- to three-bedroom apartments ranging from 1,376 to 4,076 sq ft, with penthouse options.

“This new launch is the result of detailed planning and research to target a wider audience,” says Mohammed Zaal, CEO of Al Barari. “We want more people to enjoy Al Barari because ultimately it is distinct from other communities, not simply because of the high quality homes, but because of the lifestyle it offers. With this in mind, we have introduced Ashjar 2. It answers the demand for affordable luxury living.”

Phase Two will also see the creation of a six-star boutique hotel, retail offerings and further residential development. Currently some 300 Ashjar apartments, 84 Ashjar 2 homes, 157 Seventh Heaven homes and 99 The Nest villas are under development.

Aerial view of the development.

Ashjar, meaning ‘trees’ in Arabic, comprises four low-rise, low-density buildings spread over 775,000 sq ft. These are available in two distinctive categories – Introvert and Extrovert – spread over six-storey buildings, allowing buyers to choose a home that suits their personality and taste.

Extrovert features a stepped layered design that ensures abundant natural light with views of the tree-lined oasis. Focused on aesthetic integrity, the elegant all-white structures create a sense of space and an ultra-modern feel.

Introvert has a more intimate design to offer utmost privacy to residents. The terraces feature movable screens that can be arranged to create secluded personal retreats, complemented by picturesque views of the verdant landscape and beyond and incorporating a greater degree of modern Arabesque design.

Blending indoor and outdoor living with nature, the homes are targeted towards small families and have been designed to offer a unique lifestyle and a genuine local community with access to the coveted estate’s facilities, says a spokesman for Al Barari.

Currently on the market at a starting price of Dh2.2 million ($598,974), homes at Ashjar 2 will offer residents shared underground parking, an infinity-edge pool, a children’s play area and landscaped gardens, in addition to being adjacent to the estate’s own health and fitness centre, Body Language.

Though the estate and its lush surroundings provide a sanctuary from the bustle of city life, it remains only a 15-minute drive to Downtown Dubai.

First envisioned by Emirati businessman Zaal Mohammed Zaal in 2005, Al Barari is the flagship development of the Zaal family.

An artist’s impression of an Extrovert unit.

Literally meaning ‘wilderness’, Al Barari was designed to be a true desert oasis. Eighty per cent of the development’s 18.42-million-sq-ft area is made up of green, lush space that envelopes 189 Al Barari residences and 28 bespoke luxury villas of The Reserve.

Phase One of Al Barari has seen the handover of the majority of the 217 villas built under the phase – namely The Residences and The Reserve– to residents, as well as the completion of six themed gardens with over 16.4 km of naturally landscaped lakes, freshwater streams, cascades and waterways and the region’s largest privately-owned plant nursery Green Works, which covers 38 hectares and currently produces over 700 plant varieties.

Phase One also saw the launch of the unique concept restaurant, The Farm, health club Body Language, and Heart & Soul spa.

Ashjar One, a collection of 300 elegant apartments in three categories comprising one-, two and three-bedroom apartments, and Seventh Heaven, a collection of 157 homes including exclusive duplexes, penthouses, sky villas and garden homes, are also currently under development.

“Al Barari has even created its own microclimate – up to 5 deg C cooler than the rest of the emirate, making this a very different residential and lifestyle offering in Dubai,” the spokesman concludes.